Balasore: Driven out of the Similipal Reserve Forest due to raging wildfires, more than 50 pachyderms invaded Naikudi village in Odisha’s Balasore district during the last few days. The herd has been rampaging on the fields and destroying the paddy cultivated by the local villagers.
According to reports, these elephants have destroyed paddy cultivation in over 50 acres causing the villagers to suffer huge losses. Moreover, the villagers are spending sleepless nights fearing attacks on their houses.
The farmers in Naikudi village have lodged complaints with the Forest Department officials regarding the pachyderm menace and the latter also drove the herd outside the village. However, unable to enter their habitat in the Simlipal Sanctuary, the elephants have returned to the village again. In fact, several other animals are also emigrating from their forest habitats in the region owing to the wildfires raging in the forests.
Forest fire incidents have also been reported from numerous areas under the Podadiha Forest Range under the Similipal South Division. According to reports, forest fire incidents have been reported from Adapai and Chakradharpur points under the Podadiha forest range. The Forest Department has already swung into action to douse the flames in the forest in the Udala area but the situation is yet to be brought under control.
Earlier, forest fire incidents were reported at the Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Keonjhar district of Odisha.
